Drive Meaningful Healing: Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program Psychologist in Colorado Springs

Are you a dedicated clinical or counseling psychologist looking to make a profound difference in the lives of American Veterans while advancing your professional career? The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) is recruiting compassionate, skilled psychologists to join its Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) team in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

This position offers an extraordinary combination of clinical fulfillment, collaborative practice, competitive federal compensation, and outstanding loan repayment incentives. Positioned across the GS-11 through GS-13 pay grades with a annual salary range of $79,176 to $146,703, this role is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), offering up to $200,000 in student loan reimbursement.

About the Agency: VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) operates under a sacred mission framed by President Lincoln: "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors."

The VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) fulfills this promise by providing comprehensive whole-health care to Veterans throughout eastern Colorado. Headquartered at a state-of-the-art medical center in Aurora, ECHCS spans numerous outpatient clinics, including expanding healthcare infrastructure in Colorado Springs. As a prominent teaching network integrated with top academic institutions, ECHCS fosters an environment rich in clinical research, professional training, and advanced patient care.

Living and working in Colorado Springs offers an enviable lifestyle. Positioned at the base of the Rocky Mountains, the region features breathtaking outdoor recreation, vibrant cultural communities, and an exceptional environment for individuals and families alike.

Key Job Responsibilities

As a Staff Psychologist within the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), you will work closely with psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, social workers, nurses, and peer specialists to deliver comprehensive outpatient mental health services. Primary duties include:

Diagnostic Evaluations & Assessments: Conducting comprehensive psychological, diagnostic, and risk evaluations for Veterans presenting with complex psychiatric, emotional, and behavioral health challenges.
Evidence-Based Psychotherapy: Providing individual, family, and group psychotherapies utilizing accredited Evidence-Based Treatments (EBTs) such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Serving as a primary mental health therapist within a multi-disciplinary care team, actively consulting on treatment plans and holistic care integration.
Psychoeducation & Support: Providing education and support to Veterans and their families to encourage treatment adherence, symptom management, and relapse prevention.
Training & Supervision: Assisting with the facility's Psychology Training Program, providing clinical supervision to doctoral interns, postdoctoral fellows, or unlicensed graduate psychologists, and participating in peer review processes.
Clinical Documentation: Maintaining timely, detailed electronic health records in alignment with VHA administrative guidelines.

Requirements & Qualifications

To qualify for a Staff Psychologist appointment within the VHA system, candidates must fulfill strict educational, training, and credentialing standards:

Basic Requirements

U.S. Citizenship: Applicants must be U.S. citizens. (Non-citizens are considered only when qualified citizens are unavailable).
Doctoral Education: Earned a doctoral degree in clinical or counseling psychology from a graduate program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time of graduation. (Note: Degrees specializing in School Psychology are not eligible for VHA psychologist positions).
Internship Training: Successfully completed a professional psychology internship program accredited by the APA or CPA, or a VHA-sanctioned internship, or hold active ABPP board certification.
Licensure: Hold a full, active, and unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in any U.S. State, Territory, or the District of Columbia.
- Graduate Psychologist Exception: Unlicensed applicants meeting all education and internship criteria may receive a temporary appointment (up to 2 years) at the GS-11 or GS-12 grade under direct supervision while actively seeking licensure.

Grade Level & Salary Breakdown

Placement and salary are determined by the candidate's post-doctoral experience, demonstrated clinical competencies, and licensure status. The position offers promotion potential up to the full performance level of GS-13.

Grade Level	Education & Experience Required	Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)	Salary Range (PA)
GS-11	Basic requirements met; entry-level position (or graduate psychologist pending licensure).	Broad knowledge of basic psychological treatment strategies, assessment methods, and research standards.	$79,176 - $102,927
GS-12	Basic requirements plus 1 year of professional experience equivalent to GS-11.	Ability to design and execute tailored intervention strategies, apply specialized clinical procedures, and conduct research tasks.	$94,904 - $123,377
GS-13	Basic requirements plus 2 years of experience (at least 1 year equivalent to GS-12); full licensure required.	Advanced capability to treat complex patient populations, provide high-level agency consultation, and direct multidisciplinary care programs.	$112,854 - $146,703

Comprehensive Benefits & Financial Incentives

Working for the Veterans Health Administration unlocks industry-leading public sector benefits tailored to support work-life balance and long-term financial wellbeing:

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Highly qualified selectees may receive up to $200,000 over five years to reimburse qualifying student loan debt. (Must submit an application within 4 months of hire).
Generous Paid Time Off: Full-time staff psychologists receive 37 to 50 paid days off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 sick leave days, and 11 paid federal holidays.
Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees receive up to 12 weeks of fully paid leave following the arrival of a child through birth, adoption, or foster placement.
Retirement Pension & 401(k): Secure your future with the traditional Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension combined with the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), offering up to 5% matching agency contributions.
Healthcare Coverage: Premium health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance plans, many of which can be carried into retirement.
Childcare Assistance: Full-time staff meeting income eligibility thresholds may qualify for monthly childcare subsidies up to $416.66.

How to Apply: Expert Tips for Federal Application Success

Securing a federal job requires careful preparation of your application materials. Follow these strategic recommendations:

Structure a Federal Resume: Unlike traditional private-sector resumes, federal resumes should be comprehensive (often 3–5 pages). Detail your exact clinical duties, patient demographics, clinical hours, treatment modalities, and supervisory responsibilities for every role.
Include All Transcripts and Licenses: Clearly upload official or unofficial transcripts demonstrating your accredited doctoral program completion. Attach copies of your active psychology license and internship completion verification.
Address Grade-Specific KSAs: Make sure your CV explicitly reflects the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities detailed for the GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13 grade standards in the official qualification overview.
Submit Documents Early: Ensure all attachments—including DD-214 forms (for Veterans), SF-50s (for current federal employees), and transcripts—are uploaded to USAJOBS before 11:59 PM ET on the closing date (October 30, 2026).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is this position telework eligible or remote?

No. This position requires full-time on-site clinical presence at the VA outpatient facilities in Colorado Springs, CO.

Q: What is the schedule for this position?

This is a full-time position working Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Q: Are non-citizens eligible to apply?

Preference is given to qualified U.S. citizens. Non-citizens may only be appointed if qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited, in accordance with VHA policy.

Q: What background checks and health requirements apply?

Selected candidates must complete a suitability background investigation, pre-employment drug screening, and comply with mandatory annual seasonal influenza vaccinations for healthcare personnel.

A career as a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program Psychologist with the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System combines world-class clinical practice with deep professional purpose. By providing evidence-based care to America's Veterans in Colorado Springs, you will play an essential role in their recovery journey while benefiting from exceptional federal compensation, comprehensive retirement programs, and life-changing student loan repayment assistance.

Ready to elevate your career and serve those who served? Prepare your federal resume and submit your application today!

Why This Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program Psychologist Job Matters

Elevate your clinical psychology career in beautiful Colorado Springs while serving America's Veterans and qualifying for up to $200,000 in student loan reimbursement through the Education Debt Reduction Program!

Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program Psychologist Job Overview

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Eastern Colorado Health Care System is seeking dedicated doctoral-level psychologists to join the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) team in Colorado Springs, CO. As a key clinician on an interdisciplinary team, you will provide diagnostic evaluations, psychological assessments, and evidence-based individual, family, and group psychotherapy to Veterans managing mental health conditions. Positioned at the GS-11 to GS-13 grade levels, this role offers competitive compensation ($79,176 to $146,703 annually), robust federal retirement benefits, extensive paid leave, and substantial support for student loan repayment.

Requirements for Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program Psychologist

Must be a United States Citizen (non-citizens considered only under rare exceptions per VA Policy).
Doctoral degree in clinical or counseling psychology from an APA or CPA accredited program (School Psychology degrees are not accepted).
Completion of an APA or CPA accredited professional psychology internship program (or approved VHA equivalent / ABPP board certification).
Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. State, Territory, or DC (unlicensed candidates may receive temporary appointment as a graduate psychologist under supervision for up to 2 years).
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
Must pass pre-employment drug screening (urinalysis) and background/security investigation.
Selective Service registration for males born after December 31, 1959.
Compliance with annual seasonal influenza vaccination requirements for healthcare personnel.
Completion of a 1- to 2-year trial period upon appointment.

Preferred Qualifications for Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program Psychologist

Experience providing individual, group, or family psychotherapy in an outpatient adult mental health setting.
Demonstrated expertise in delivering Evidence-Based Treatments (EBTs) to adult patient populations.
Experience working in collaborative interdisciplinary team environments.
Background in conducting clinical supervision for psychology trainees or unlicensed staff.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Up to $200,000 in tax-free student loan reimbursement for eligible candidates.
✓Competitive Compensation: Annual base salary ranging from $79,176 to $146,703 with regular step increases.
✓Generous Paid Leave: 37 to 50 days of paid time off per year (13-26 annual leave days, 13 sick leave days, and 11 paid federal holidays).
✓Paid Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks of paid leave following the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child after 12 months of service.
✓Childcare Support: Subsidies up to $416.66/month (25% of eligible costs) for qualifying full-time employees.
✓Federal Retirement Benefits: Traditional Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension plus Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) 401(k) with up to 5% agency matching.
✓Comprehensive Insurance Coverage: Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), and Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP).

💡 How to Apply Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program Psychologist Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program Psychologist Job

Review the complete announcement and ensure your resume reflects required qualifications and grade-specific KSAs.
Gather required supporting documents, including your long-form CV, transcripts, state psychology license, DD-214 (if applicable), and SF-50 (if current/former federal employee).
Click the 'Apply Online' button to log into your USAJOBS account or create a new profile.
Complete the online occupational assessment questionnaire.
Attach all required documentation to your application package.
Submit your application before 11:59 PM Eastern Time on October 30, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Use a comprehensive long-form federal resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing clinical hours, population experience, and specific duties rather than a brief corporate resume.
Clearly highlight your APA or CPA accredited doctoral degree and internship details, explicitly naming the institution and accreditation status.
Ensure your current active psychology license details (state, license number, expiration date) are listed clearly on your CV.
Tailor your descriptive narrative to directly demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) associated with your targeted GS level (GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13).
Apply early to avoid missing the strict deadline, and verify all uploaded attachments are legible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)?

EDRP is a VHA student loan reimbursement incentive program that provides up to $200,000 tax-free toward qualifying educational loans over a 1 to 5-year period. Selected candidates must apply for EDRP within four months of their appointment.

Can unlicensed psychologists apply for this position?

Yes. Candidates who meet the basic educational and internship requirements but have not yet obtained a license may be appointed as 'Graduate Psychologists' at the GS-11 or GS-12 level under a temporary authority. Unlicensed psychologists must obtain a full, unrestricted doctoral-level license within two years of employment and practice under the direct supervision of a licensed psychologist.

Is remote work or telework available for this position?

No. This position is located on-site at the outpatient mental health facility in Colorado Springs, CO. Telework and virtual work schedules are not available.

What grade levels are offered for this vacancy?

This position is advertised at the GS-11, GS-12, and GS-13 grade levels, with promotion potential up to GS-13. Final grade placement depends on the candidate's post-doctoral experience, licensure status, and demonstrated clinical capabilities.